Atlanta Falcons: What Brees’ deal means to Matt Ryan?
061912 FLOWERY BRANCH: Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan completes a pass during the first day of mini-camp in Flowery Branch on Tuesday, June 19, 2012. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM
BIRDLAND – The cost of playing quarterback in the NFL just went up for league owners.
With the New Orleans Saints signing Drew Brees to a five-year, $100 million contract on Friday, the ancillary beneficiaries include Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and Dallas’ Tony Romo. Their contracts expire in 2013. Down the road a bit, Detroit’s Matthew Stafford and Carolina’s Cam Newton should also benefit.
Ryan, who’s set to make a base salary of $11.5 million this season and $10 million next season, is nearing the end of a six-year, $72 million deal.
Ryan still has time to set his value. He wasn’t selected by the players as one of the top 100 players in the league. However, ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski selected him as the 11th rated quarterback in the league.
Under general manager Thomas Dimitroff, the Falcons have made it a practice to re-sign players to contract extensions in the last year of their deals if they plan to retain them.
Last season, tight end Tony Gonzalez received an extension. In 2010, with the labor strife, the Falcons did not offer any extensions. In 2008, they extended defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux and wide receiver Michael Jenkins.
Ryan has posted a 43-19 record in four seasons with the Falcons. He was drafted in the first round (third overall) of the 2008 NFL draft. He has guided them to the playoffs in three of his four seasons, but is 0-3.
He’s set to play under a new offensive coordinator — Dirk Koetter — this season for the first time.
The bulk of guaranteed money in Ryan’s contract was paid out in 2011, when he earned a $22 million roster bonus on top of his $10.25 million salary.
“Of course, Drew Brees’ $60 [million] guarantee is half of [former Atlanta Hawk] Joe Johnson’s $120M and one quarter of [baseball player] Albert Pujols’ $240M; some perspective,” wrote former NFL executive Andrew Brandt in a tweet. He used to negotiate the contracts for the Green Bay Packers.
Brandt added that the key to Brees’ contact was that Peyton Manning signed with the Denver Broncos for $18 million in 2012 and noted that if he passes his 2013 physical a $40 million guarantee would be activated, giving him a $58 million guarantee.
Other top quarterbacks like Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers and New England’s Tom Brady, also stand to benefit from Brees’ deal. Rogers, who is under contract for the next three seasons, has a contract that averages $8 million.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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127 comments Add your comment
Falcon James
July 15th, 2012
12:30 pm
Here is two more Non-Impressive stats
It wasn’t until the 2000 season that the Saints ever won a playoff game.
Brees spent 8 years in the NFL before winning a Superbowl.
Manning spent 7 years in the NFL before winning a Superbowl
How many years has Ryan played?
Falcon James
July 15th, 2012
12:32 pm
One more.
Dan Marino, who is arguably one of the best QB of all time. NEVER won a Superbowl!
Torry
July 15th, 2012
12:42 pm
I’m sorry I’m a huge Falcons Fan but to compare Drew Brees to Matt Ryan is crazy..You put Drew Brees on the Falcons with Juilo and Roddy to throw two not to mention Tony Gonzalez this would be one of the best Offenses in the league…I gurantee we’d score more than just TWO points in a Playoff game…..
Just Wing It
July 15th, 2012
1:17 pm
The difference tween Ryan and Breeze is Matt don’t have that tire skid mark on his face but Breeze has a record but Matt still working on his.
Just Wing It
July 15th, 2012
1:26 pm
and thinking too a 43 win 19 loss record, come onnnnnnnn,any fool that would not be happy with a qb that give you that in 4 years and make playoffs too 3 times and be nfc south champs. Some of you falcon haters need to shutup and just go away.
now with years of experience and playoff experience under his belt and new OC we may see more TD throws,more passing yards and more wins than ever before so think before u post and get over the hate thing
nomistake
July 15th, 2012
1:40 pm
It means absolutely nothing to Ryan. He is not in the same ballpark as Brees… Good, very good, but not great!
Falcon James
July 15th, 2012
1:41 pm
I agree. Ryan has done some incredible things since entering the NFL. He is probably one of the smartest QB’s in the league. He will only get better along with the rest of the team. Ryan was beaten in the playoffs by the eventual SB champs. I think people who judge him based on those 3 losses have missed the bigger picture. Let’s face it, Peyton won a total of 3 games in his first season.
nomistake
July 15th, 2012
1:45 pm
Ryan has a long way to go to be mentioned with the likes of Drew Brees, but he is young and has lots of time to develop.
nomistake
July 15th, 2012
1:51 pm
Wow, just looked this up. Since Brees has been in New Orleans the Saints have beat the birds 10 of the last 12.
nomistake
July 15th, 2012
2:10 pm
I guess you can kinda say Brees own the Falcons… Wait no you can just come on out and say it.
JSS
July 15th, 2012
4:47 pm
@ No Mistake…
That is the reason one of the blogger’s user name is “10 of 12!”
JSS
July 15th, 2012
5:03 pm
Fact, Ryan has only played 2 and 3/4 quarters of serviceable football in his three playoff appearances. The rest has been nothing short of a train wreck… And that has nothing to do with whether those teams went on to the Super Bowl (Arizona lost by the way)…
Hey, Trent Dilfer went 29-14 in a three season period in Tampa… Guess what that got him? Yep, run out of town! It took the 2nd greatest defense in terms of scoring and super kick returner to get him to the promise land!
I’m being unfair to Difer, he won his first playoff start!!!
Just Sayin.....
July 15th, 2012
6:44 pm
Most teams don’t stick with a 5 year playoff winless plan…..just sayin
Drew Brees was awful his first four years in th NFL
July 15th, 2012
8:13 pm
Matt Ryan has 14,822 passing yards in his first four years
with three playoff appearances.
Drew Brees had 9,091 passing yards his first four years
with one playoff appearance, A Loss.
Matt Ryan has a record of 43-21 his first four years.
Drew Brees had a record 29-35 his first four years.
Matt Ryan has a bright future.
Drew Brees was awful his first four years in the NFL
July 15th, 2012
8:14 pm
AWFUL
SeenThisB4
July 15th, 2012
8:20 pm
Compare Ryan to Flacco, they were both drafted the same year,…you know, the guy you guys passed on. How many wins does he have?
Goodgod
July 15th, 2012
8:53 pm
No superbowl for the falcons until we can beat the saints. Matt Ryan has a dismal record againt the saints. In his four seasons againt them he has won two games and lost six. Compared during the Vick era against the saints, vick won six and lost six..
In conclusion we can’t dominate our own division let alone win a superbowl. I hope Matt saved some of that money he’s gonna need it in retirement. Maybe Matt can make a mean tv analyst.
JSS
July 15th, 2012
11:55 pm
Brees played for Marty freakin’ Schottenheimer! That explains away that difference right there boys and girls!!! That is akin to playing for Lou Holtz or Dan Devine! Nothing but pain misery can come of that, ask Joe Montana! He’s succeeded in “SPITE” of those abominations!!!
Worried
July 16th, 2012
12:01 am
As a falcon fan, I am worried. We are just not good enough to compete with the Saints. Recent years and games against them have shown that they are the better team. Honestly, i dont think the bounty thing had much to do with them winning the superbowl..The Saints offense put up a lot of points that year. In my opinion Matt Ryan is no Drew Brees. He has alot of growing to do.
Aoldtimer
July 16th, 2012
12:27 am
To all of you arrogant Saint fan’s.
As a falcon I pulled for you in the super bowl because I remember the old days, anymore the saints fanbace is disgusting. I would have thought after all of those years of wearing BAGS over your head’s Saint’s fan’s would be absolutely grateful for their first SB title. Yet here they are talking smack about the falcon’s. Yeah, We haven’t got there yet, But sooner or later we will just like you….Only we wont have to pay players to hurt people… You guys need to grow up and realize you sure as hell can’t claim to being a dynasty yet.
Kelly
July 16th, 2012
1:25 am
Im a falcon fan, but to compare Ryan to Brees is rediculous…Their obviously not in the league.
Jimmy Jam
July 16th, 2012
1:07 pm
What Brees’ deal means to Matt Ryan?
Hate to say it, but it probably means two more wins for the Brees Saints over the Ryan’s Falcons. With or without a coach.
Trade 4 Tim Teabow
July 16th, 2012
1:20 pm
Got 2 win some palyof games fist B 4 U can get the big money. Rayan aint done that yet.
PlanB
July 16th, 2012
1:56 pm
Biggest difference is Brees & S Peyton’s offense mind. Ryan will get better and I hope Smitty is learning to be a better head coach. Choose good OC’s & DC’s but don’t micro-manage them. Nolan will improve the D. Koetter will be given the chance to improve the O. If he doesn’t, don’t keep him 4 years. Big mistake with MM. Two years will tell.
(DB awful 1st 4 yrs) gave Brees stats in his 1st 4 yrs. Matt exceeded his passing 63%. Brees won 45% of his games, Matt won 67%. Brees is about 6 1/2 years older.
Matt & Flacco – I can’t see much difference in the two. Win-loss, about the same. passing yds.-about the same. Matt’s 230 yds/gm to Flacco’s 216 – about the same. YPC, same. Matt 95 TD’s 46 int. Flacco 80 TD’s 46 int. – about the same. Only difference is playoff wins that Flacco has. In 2008 Flacco had 44% completions & 50.8 rating with 3 ints. and got 2 wins. In 2009 he had 53% completions with a 39.4 rating and got 1 win. In 2010 & 2011 he had 4 fumbles & got 2 wins. Must be nice to have a defense that carries you. Seems to be alot of comparing apples to oranges.
Falcon James
July 16th, 2012
6:00 pm
I agree with you PlanB. You just can’t accurately compare Ryan. For his few years in the league, he has done very well. No, he hasn’t won a playoff game, but neither has any other Falcon in the past 3 years. The day will come that the Falcons bring it home. It is only a matter of time. The Falcons have too many weapons, 2 new coaches, and a lot of desire and drive. One man doesnt win/lose a playoff game. It will take the whole team.
PlanB
July 16th, 2012
6:56 pm
Falcon James – At least we’re respectable. For those that have been fans since the start, we’re very proud of our team as it is now. We also know that the difference to win the SB is just a couple of changes in FA and maybe a breakout year for a couple of our guys. We have as good a chance as anyone. I’m looking for our new coordinators to be the real difference. Falcon football is good again.
thanatos
July 17th, 2012
10:58 am
A few points…
-As I remember it, the saints won the superbowl primarily because of a cornerback not the quarterback.
- whoever said that drew brees is a system quarterback hit the nail squarely on the head
- the falcons would be crazy to let matt ryan go without a solid contract extension. he has not had a losing season. it is pointless to compare him to other quarterbacks’ success. he will be paid by his success compared to previous Falcons quarterbacks.
- I don’t have much interest in smack talk or doomsaying, but anyone who thinks the falcons won’t have a winning season is out of his or her mind